Men’s tennis has officially entered a new era, according to former doubles world No.3 Casey Dellacqua.
The sport was previously dominated by the colossal ‘Big Three’ of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but fans are starting to get a glimpse of tennis without them.
Federer has been retired since 2022, Nadal is retiring after the Davis Cup next week, and Djokovic is not playing as often.
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Djokovic’s withdrawal from the ATP Finals in Turin makes it the first year-end finals since 2001 to not feature any member of the Big Three.
The 2024 season-ending event is headlined by world No.1 Jannik Sinner and reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz – proof for Dellacqua that change has occurred.
“[It’s] heartwarming stuff to see these players [do well]. There’s no doubt the changing of the guard has happened, but we are going to get to know and see these players a lot,” Dellacqua said on the latest episode of The AO Show Weekly podcast.
Sinner has been ruthless in this charge to the top ranking, taking over the reins from Djokovic in June and not looking back.
The 23-year-old currently has a record of 68-6 in 2024 – a winning percentage of over 90 per cent. He has won seven titles this season, including his maiden Grand Slam triumphs at Melbourne Park and Flushing Meadows.
Former Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald is adamant Sinner is in good stead to win his eighth trophy of 2024 in Turin.
“He deserves to be No.1. I know he’s two years older than his future biggest rival in Alcaraz, but I think he deserves to be No.1,” Fitzgerald said.
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“Two and two in terms of Grand Slams this year but he’s got the points on the board and the consistency, and he likes this indoor part of the season, he proved that last year in spades and he’s done it again.”
As for his rival Alcaraz, Fitzgerald believes the young Spaniard most closely resembles a member of the original Big Three.
“He’s a character that’s going to bring so much entertainment. You’re never going to get me to compare him to Roger Federer because that would be unfair on a number of levels. But he’s probably the modern guy that’s going to have the flair,” Fitzgerald said.
“Watching him here at the Australian Open last year, I couldn’t believe some of the stuff he tried and some of the stuff he pulled off. Whether that cost him matches occasionally, maybe. But he’s got four Grand Slams under his belt already.”
It’s safe to say tennis is in good hands.
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